German Sandals Follow the Functional Footsteps of U.S. Cheerleader Uniform Shape
In a recent decision, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice held that Birkenstock’s sandal design was not eligible for copyright protection. The court held that Birkenstock sandals did not display sufficient creativity...
Brian Horne Named Among LA’s Top 100 Lawyers by Los Angeles Business Journal
LOS ANGELES, April 28, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that litigation partner Brian Horne has been recognized on Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2025 “Top 100 Lawyers” list....
Space Technology Investment – Go for Launch in 2025?
Investors have recently provided solid funding to the space technology sector, with the trend showing signs of continuing in Q1 2025. The general trend over the last half decade for...
Knobbe Martens Named a Regional Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year at 2025 Managing IP Americas Awards
IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that the firm was awarded “Trademark Prosecution Firm of the Year (West)” at the 2025 Managing IP Americas...
U.S. Tariffs and the Medical Device Industry
As of April 24, 2025, the United States has imposed tariffs on over 180 countries and territories. This includes a universal 10% baseline tariff while larger tariffs are in a...
Knobbe Martens Lawyers Explore Open Source AI Software Licensing in Legaltech News Piece
In the Legaltech News article “Open Source Licensing Considerations for Artificial Intelligence Application,” lawyers Vlad Teplitskiy, Damien Howard, and Fatima Kouadio offer guidance to companies considering adopting open source artificial...
Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray Discuss Forfeiting Claim Construction on Appeal in Law360 Column
In the latest installment of their Law360 column on recent noteworthy Federal Circuit decisions, partners Jeremiah Helm and Sean Murray examine the court’s ruling in Wash World Inc. v. Belanger...
Knobbe Martens Lawyers Recognized in World IP Review Diversity Awards
IRVINE, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, April 22, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is proud to share that three of the firm’s lawyers have been recognized by World Intellectual Property Review for...
Knobbe Martens Seattle Office Relocation Covered by Law360
In the Law360 article “Knobbe Martens Relocates Seattle Ops To Nearby Bellevue,” Seattle office Managing Partner Carol Pitzel Cruz offered insight into the firm’s decision to move to a new...
The Votes Are In: Highly Descriptive Marks Are Difficult to Protect
HERITAGE ALLIANCE V. AMERICAN POLICY ROUNDTABLE Before Prost, Taranto, and Stark. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: Continuous-use evidence is not necessarily prima facie evidence of acquired...
Hard to Stomach: Things You Say to Prosecute a Patent Can and Will Be Used Against You
AZURITY PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. v. ALKEM LABORATORIES LTD. Before Murphy, Moore, and Chen. Appeal from the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. Summary: Arguments and amendments made during...
Fireball Frenzy: When First Registering a Mark, Genericness of a Mark Is Determined at the Time of Registration
BULLSHINE DISTILLERY LLC v. SAZERAC BRANDS, LLC Before Moore, Reyna and Taranto. Appeal from the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: In assessing genericness, the TTAB considers how the mark...
No Error: The Board Committed No Procedural Error by Relying on Evidence Outside of the Prior Art Reference
SAGE PRODUCTS, LLC v. STEWART [OPINION] Before Reyna, Cunningham, and Stark. Appeal from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Summary: The Board did not...
Justin Culbertson Featured in Am Law “How I Made Partner” Series
In a Q+A with Law.com as part of the publication’s “How I Made Partner” series, partner Justin Culbertson, Ph.D. shared insight into his career journey and lessons learned on his...
Salima Merani and Charlene Azema Shortlisted in 2025 Women in Business Law Awards
IRVINE, Calif., April 18, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partners Salima Merani, Ph.D. and Charlene Azema have been shortlisted for the 2025 Women in Business Law...
Knobbe Martens to Relocate Seattle Office to Bellevue
Move will allow firm to continue to serve clients throughout Seattle and the Pacific Northwest SEATTLE, April 17, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that the firm will...
TTAB Grants Employer’s Opposition Against Former Employee
In a precedential decision, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board) sustained the opposition by DowntownDC Business Improvement District (opposer) to the application by Roquois Y. Clarke (applicant) for the...
TTAB Finds App Icon Descriptive of Mobile Games
In a precedential decision, in the case of Hangzhou Mengku Technology Co., Ltd and Fuzhou Mengku Technology Co., Ltd v. Shanghai Zhenglang Technology Co., Ltd, Opposition No. 91272143 (Dec. 30,...
Profiles in Leadership Journal Recognizes Josue Villalta in Latino & Hispanic Leadership Awards
LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 – Knobbe Martens is pleased to share that partner Josue Villalta was recognized by Profiles in Leadership Journal’s 2025 Latino & Hispanic Leadership Awards. In...
An Alternative for Treating Mitral Regurgitation Receives Support for Ongoing Trial
Mitral regurgitation is the most common form of valvular heart disease and affects around 10% of Americans over 75. It occurs when the mitral valve, which is located between the left...
Knobbe Martens Advises Kandu Health, Inc. in Merger with Neurolutions, Inc.
KanduTM Health, Inc. and Neurolutions, Inc. today announced that they have merged to form Kandu, Inc. With the merger, Kandu, Inc. expects to set a new standard of care for stroke recovery, accessible to...